My wife, Kristen and I had a huge fight one weekend. I can't remember exactly what started it, only that it was all her fault. I stormed out in a rage and checked in to a hotel for two days. Neither of us spoke and in the loneliness of my cheap room, I thought out the facts of my case. In a commonsense arrangement of the details, I'd easily win this argument. Then again, I could win the fight and still lose Kristen.
I felt like an asshole. I'd allowed things to go too far and now the only woman who accepted me for exactly who I am might disappear from my life.
Using my cell phone, I carefully worded my e-mail and chose the subject title: "I am an asshole."
The body of my message I edited several times, but finally went with its original draft for being the most heartfelt:
Kris,
I made a horrible mistake the other night and hurt you. Worse yet, I betrayed
your trust. My only defense is my foolish tendency to let my penis do my
thinking for me. I can only ask your forgiveness and promise to use my every
effort do better by you. I know what we have, and that I could look forever and
never find anyone that comes close to what I've found in you.
Codie
In the end, winning didn't matter. Patching things up was what counted, and if it meant I admitted I was wrong, when I clearly wasn't, that was a small price to pay.
I waited nervously in a crappy restaurant, hoping she'd reply. Her reply simply said, "I'm sorry, too. Get your ass back home. I'll make things up to you."
A half-hour later, Kristen stood in front of me in a one-piece black satin slip and the scent of sweet perfume. Her blond hair was swept up, and she looked as nervous as I was. Her hands kept trying to find the right gesture. We embraced and kissed passionately. A jolt of electricity passed between us as if it was our first kiss. We laughed uncomfortably when we stopped holding each other.
"You look incredible," I said as I stepped back drinking her in. It wasn't entirely true. Her eyes were bloodshot red, and she wore more makeup that I'd seen on her before. She'd obviously been crying.
She flashed a lopsided smile at me, appreciating the white lie. "You look like crap, too. I haven't slept much, either."
I wanted to sweep her up and take her to the bedroom right then, but she led me to the sofa.
"I know I was responsible for what happened. Somehow I was testing you or trying to push you away; I don't know which, myself. I guess I wanted you to be my hero again, but this time, rescue me from myself. Fucked up, isn't it?"
My hand traveled to her back, and I stroked her through the smooth material. She was trembling. "I don't care how fucked up it is. Give me a few directions now and again, and I'll do the best I can. I'm kind of dense sometimes."
"It's just that I want you to think of me as something other than what my past has shown."
"We both have a past," I said and kissed her again. As I hugged her I noticed a small bruise on her knee. She winced when I touched it.
"I fell on the staircase last night. Distracted. I'm damaged goods. Can you live with it?"
The double meaning wasn't lost on me, even as dense as I can be. "We'll both heal and do better in the future." No more needed to be said.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You were going to sweep me up, carry me off and fuck the daylights out of me."
A moment later she was cradled in my arms. Her legs dangled to the side as we made our way to bed. "Oh, and I'm going to do a few things to you too," she laughed.